Dynamic Learning at the Executive Level | Tangram Flip Series
February 21 • Written by Stephanie Gieseke
In this edition of our Flip series, Tangram flips the script to create a learning framework centered on a crucial element: a podcast for executive-level learners. Read on to see how we designed this new curriculum.
When our clients identified a need for a new role-based, master-level curriculum, they approached us first because of our experience in providing innovative and effective programs.
The challenge we were given was to create virtual sessions where global participants could learn advanced topics and wrestle with scenarios while making decisions together. We ditched a templated eLearning approach and customized the executive-level learners’ journey with a combination of virtual knowledge sharing sessions and interactive skills booster breakouts. But rather than run-of-the-mill knowledge sharing sessions (“death by webinar”), we designed something entirely new for this client.
Our Approach
Our goal was two-fold: to create knowledge sharing sessions on advanced-level topics that could be easily consumed, and also to create interactive and engaging skills booster sessions where participants could wrestle with these advanced topics together.
In analyzing our audience of senior-level learners, we knew that the delivery method for the knowledge sharing sessions needed to meet a few standards:
The content needs to be contextualized with stories and examples
The delivery needs to capture the energy and passion of the SMEs we are working with
The modality for consuming the content needs to be flexible and engaging
Our Design Flip
HOW WE GOT IT RIGHT
Tangram’s guidelines for executive-level design
Advanced Application
The conversation style of podcasts enables the learning of advanced topics from experts while also providing the ability to hear them share their methods and unique applications. Podcasts paired with interactive skills boosters allow learners to take their existing experience plus the new ideas and practice applying them to real work challenges.
Minimal Design
The world is constantly changing, and so is your business. The lightweight design of virtual podcasts, skills booster activities, and resources means that updating content and sharing up-to-date information is a breeze.
Greater Alignment
Personal stories offer a depth of engagement unmatched by presentations or course recommendations. Hearing the career journeys of those ahead sharpens your vision, fuels motivation, and guides your path forward.
We had collected enough existing slide decks, case studies, and resources to know that this content could easily turn into several dense eLearning modules. But was that the right modality for these senior-level learners? We were determined that whatever the solution, it should feel light, exciting, inspiring, and easy to access.
We came up with an idea that our stakeholders absolutely loved – a podcast series that gave them control and harnessed the power of social and experiential learning.
Our SMEs, known for their leadership and advanced communication skills, will simply record the dynamic conversations they are already having about their most recent innovations, what they are learning to improve their craft, and best practices they apply day to day. Their emotions, their individual expertise, and their storytelling are all captured in a format that our audience is able to consume by simply listening on-the-go to the audio or by watching the video recording. All of those would be lost with inflexible traditional eLearning slides or dry webinars.
Learners will also gain access to resources where they can deep-dive into various topics after listening to the podcast.
The Results
Building on our high-level design and direction for each of 4 episodes in this 6-week program, we are giving full ownership of the podcast content to our SMEs. We’re guiding them through a straightforward Teams-hosted recording process and doing some light video editing to add names and titles, plus transition slides to mark changes in topics.
Right now, we’re helping them prep by hosting planning sessions where they block out the conversation and the questions they want to ask. They are excited to record their chosen episode and easily communicate their passion for the subject. They will be sharing not only their own interpretation of the content but also how they’ve applied it. The podcast episodes will be conversation-style, with our experts learning from each other and modeling their methods for continuous learning and developing new skills at this master level.
Using this flexible modality known for its social learning and storytelling strengths, we are able to better leverage and showcase the knowledge and expertise within our client’s organization. As we help them create a forum for sharing what they’ve learned by applying the information the learner needs to know, we’re eager to see their learners absorb more by listening to the stories.